Blockchain system and method for calculating location of time-crucial shipments according to expectation and smart contracts

ABSTRACT

A client-server system and a blockchain method for calculating whether a time-crucial shipment is located according to an expectation comprising a client device adapted for being adhered to or placed within a time-crucial package shipment; and a remote special purpose computer server comprising a transit plan schedule database based on pickup time and location stored in memory. The system and method calculates a location of the client device based on data accessed from a Wi-Fi access point location database, transmitted identification data, and transmitted signal strength data; and compares the calculated location to an expected location based on common carrier schedule transit plan pickup time and delivery location received from third party database sources.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.16/019,993, filed Jun. 27, 2018, entitled “BLOCKCHAIN SYSTEM AND METHODFOR CALCULATING LOCATION OF TIME-CRUCIAL SHIPMENTS ACCORDING TOEXPECTATION AND SMART CONTACTS,” which claims the benefit of applicationSer. No. 15/610,166, filed May 31, 2017, entitled “System forCalculating Whether Time-Crucial Shipment is Located According toExpectation” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,037,508, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of logistics systems and methods.More particularly the invention relates to systems and methods oftracking location of a package which is en route from a shippinglocation to a destination location, and to systems and methods to ensurethat an extremely time-critical delivery is proceeding according toschedule and to alert the shipper or recipient or a designated thirdparty if there is a problem with shipment such as a flight or truckdelay or mishandled package or misdirected delivery.

Sometimes next day shipping service just isn't fast enough when acustomer needs a replacement part for an assembly line that's down, or apart is needed for an aircraft that is idle because of part missing, ora human organ needs to be shipped for transplant across the continent,or tissue samples, bone marrow or eye for transplant needs next flightout speed. In such cases the shipper or recipient will engage a privatelogistics shipment service, commercial airline carrier, charter flight,or Next Flight Out (NFO) delivery service to transport the package sincetime is so critical. In other cases the parties may elect to use one ormore common carriers to transport the package from pick up to deliverysuch as planes, trains, and/or trucks that operate according to aschedule.

Some existing services such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, Federal Express, DHL,scheduled air carriers, and the like offer same day delivery to certainlocations. However, even though such services are generally reliable andoffer tracking services, occasionally mistakes happen during shipments,for example a package may miss a flight or a truck may be delayed due toweather, accident, or traffic conditions and so even if the chances ofsuch a mistake are very small, for extremely time-sensitive shipmentssuch as the above-mentioned situations there is a need for extremelyaccurate tracking systems and methods which are superior to state of theart methods that can include blockchain and smart contracts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need, and others which will become apparent from the followingdisclosure and drawings, is addressed by the present invention whichcomprises in one aspect a system comprising a client device which isadapted for being adhered to or placed within a time-crucial package,the device configured to receive a Wi-Fi signal from a Wi-Fi accesspoint and to communicate data to one or more servers via. GSM wirelesstransmission protocol; and one or more servers configured to receivedata via GSM from the device and to receive schedule data from a commoncarrier that includes a scheduled airline or truck tracking service; theone or more servers programmed to determine location of the device at agiven time by comparing the data received from the device to a databaseof Wi-Fi access point locations, the one or more servers programmed tocompare the determined location to a scheduled location according to thedata received from the common carrier reporting or tracking service.

In another aspect the invention comprises a method of determining thelocation of a package at a given time comprising comparing data receivedvia GSM protocol from the client device which obtained theidentification data from a set of Wi-Fi access points to a knownlocation of each Wi-Fi access point to a scheduled location obtainedfrom a common carrier tracking service, thereby calculating whether thedevice is located according to the scheduled location. In another aspectthe method comprises signaling an alarm if the client device is notlocated according to the scheduled location and reporting the last knownlocation according to data received via GSM protocol from the device.Another aspect of the method includes a step of reporting receivedsignal strength from one or more known Wi-Fi access points and time ofreception of the signal. In some embodiments a GSM communication gatewayallows for both USSD or SMS, two types of messages, to be sent.

The system can make battery saving decisions based on a variety offactors in the supply chain. For instance, a system that has additionalinformation on location availability or route delays based on flight ortruck database schedules can dynamically adjust the location updatefrequency of the device to save power. Additionally, the system canincrease frequency or change modes to ensure supply chain compliance orgain additional information about the location state of the shipment andits environment.

In another aspect the invention comprises a blockchain method forcalculating whether a time-crucial shipment is located according to anexpectation comprising: providing a system according to claim 1;receiving, by the Wi-Fi receiver of the client device identificationdata of one or more nearby Wi-Fi access points, measuring; by the Wi-Fireceiver, signal strength data of the one or more nearby Wi-Fi accesspoints, transmitting, by the microcontroller, via the GSM radio moduleto a remote special purpose computer server the received identificationdata and the considered signal strength data when movement is detectedby the accelerometer; calculating, by the remote special purposecomputer server, a location of the client device based on data accessedfrom a Wi-Fi access point location database with time stamp, thetransmitted identification data, and the received signal strength data;and comparing, by the remote special purpose computer, the calculatedlocation to an expected location based on blockchain database systemdata with real-time ownership and location journey of package shipmentsshared and managed in an immutable and distributed ledger.

Some embodiments comprise reporting device data based on calculated ortransmitted location, temperature, movement, or chain of custody data soshipment data can be transferred to or traded according to smartcontracts in the blockchain.

With emergence of the Next Flight Out (NFO) air transportation marketfor critical shipments, when time and mission critical logisticrequirements needs shipments delivered within hours, not days, planningthe best flight path and being able to adopt and react to exceptionreporting with confirmations of the location and related temperature,chain of custody and reporting of each shipment at any point and timeworldwide is critical to ensure on-time delivery and manage smartcontracts in the blockchain.

Once the package has been tendered to an airline; the airline or othercommon carrier is not obligated to provide any updates as to whether thepackage made it on the desired flight. A common practice is barcodescanning each piece as it is loaded onto the airplane or truck. Thatallows the shipper to login to a custom airline cargo portal to see ifit has made the flight, or similarly, to a truck vehicle delivering thepackage.

There are two main problems with both of these current systems. Thefirst and most problematic are the false positives. It is very commonfor an airline or other common carrier to scan a piece indicating thatit was loaded onto the plane or truck and then have that piece beintentionally refused, left on the loading dock or unloaded. This meansthat when the shipper logs in, they see that the shipment was verifiedonboard and they can expect to recover it one hour after the plane landswhen it is released from cargo. In the case of a five-hour cross-countryflight, there is no indication of error or delay for six hours. Once itis established that the piece is not at the destination airport, a gameof finger pointing ensues. The destination airport calls the departureairport saying the package never arrived. The departure airport insiststhat it is at the destination airport because it was scanned on boardthe plane. The destination airport searches again and the calls thedeparture airport insisting that it never arrived. Finally, thedeparture airport searches the dock and finds the piece. At this point,hours have passed and the shipment has still not left the origin cityand needs to be placed on a new flight. Similar situations apply tovehicle deliveries when a package is placed on truck after arriving byplane.

The package being left at the departure airport without notice is a muchtoo common case. A less common, but even more costly case is when ashipment is loaded on the wrong aircraft. The shelving and organizationsystem airlines use is very manual with little verification. A packagemeant for Kansas may end up on a flight to Korea simply because they areproximal to each other in the cargo area. A mistake of this nature candelay the shipment by days. In the case of a critical shipment like ahuman organ or part for a downed aircraft or machine, the associatedcosts can be significant.

The second problem with relying on airline notifications of on-boardingis that they are separate closed systems with very little control andtransparency for the people that are relying on those systems to becorrect. Each of them functions differently with a varying degree ofsuccess. A system that is designed to track critical organ deliveriescannot interface with every airline or common carrier over email.

A definitive measure of both take-off and landing is required in orderto have a closed supply chain that critical shipments can use tomitigate delays in real-time. Those messages need to interface withcomplex shipment tracking systems to notify operators as soon as anerror occurs in order to minimize supply chain down time.

The location monitoring apparatus attached or inside package finds Wi-Finetworks in-range and sends the router's BSSID/MAC address, report time,and signal strength, over wireless communication methods, The reporteddevice data is communicated to computer servers and by API and computerdatabase with router-specific MAC addresses to be matched though thirdparty mapping and location engines or other Wi-Fi Point of Interestdatabases (i.e., specific Wi-Fi BSSID/MAC address of aircraft or nearrunways) with collected Wi-Fi location coordinate matching records todetermine a package or other shipment's location(s) en route. Accuratelocation capabilities, combined with real-time Wi-Fi network locationintelligence data offer increased efficiency in resource and supply,chain management, with lower cost and significant less device powerconsumption than conventional higher power GPS tracking solutions.Accuracy is also significantly improved since one or more data sourcescan be specific to a floor, room, warehouse or even a specificaircraft's wireless access point(s) where traditional GPS systems arelimited to only reporting latitude and longitude coordinates.

The system and method provide real-time location with Wi-Fi signalintelligence to determine the package's location en route.

The present invention improves en route package exception reporting anddelivery processing for time-critical shipments with a system accessibleto the global supply chain with a low cost data reporting device addingreal-time, accurate location granularity for both indoor and outdoorlocation determinations, combined into a market-ready Internet-of things(IoT) system with integration into blockchain system and methods, andlogistic carriers and enterprise management API's, flight databases andcomputer servers to exchange and process en route location reportingdata between the electronic device on or within package, and third partycomputer server(s) processing the data received over wireless GSMtransmission networks. This is crucial and beneficial for packageshipments en route or when package is in enclosed within en route (i.e.,a truck dispatch station) or pre-flight indoor environments (i.e., anaircraft hangar), and improves upon prior art that rely on GPS locationwhere GPS signals are blocked. Examples of blocked GPS signals includein-aircraft cargo holding areas and logistics service holding warehousesand indoor package transfer areas that lack access to GPS satellites,representing one of several improvements over prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a special purpose computer server embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a method carried out by the special purposecomputer server of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the function of the accelerometer;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an aspect of the method regarding toggling theGSM module, Wi-Fi module, and supplemental use of cell tower IDs.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a blockchain method for calculatingwhether a time-critical shipment is located according to an expectationby remote special purpose computer server comparing and reportingreal-time ownership and location journey of package; and/or withtemperature and other movement data from accelerometer in device; withthe location journey of package shipments shared and managed in animmutable and distributed ledger applying blockchain technology andsmart contract interactions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG. 1,the client device 11 includes a receiver 17, a microcontroller unit(“MCU”) 20, a Bluetooth module 3, a GSM module 6, an accelerometer 5, aWi-Fi antenna 14, a GSM antenna 8, a lithium-free or rechargeablebattery 16 which can be disconnected from the remainder of the device 11by optional pull tab 2. The MCU 20 sends instructions to and receivesdata from an accelerometer 5, GSM module 6, Bluetooth module 3, andWi-Fi receiver 17. The device also includes an embedded SIM card 18whenever necessary for GSM transmission to cell tower or cell carriernetworks. The client device 11 includes a WiFi antenna 14 which receivessignals broadcast by nearby Wi-Fi access points 47 for the Wi-Fireceiver 17, and a GSM antenna 8 which communicates with GSM cell towers13 within range of the client device 11. GSM signals from a GSM network12 are also received by GSM antenna 8 and sent to GSM module 6. Clientdevice 11 can include an optional lithium free primary battery 16 sothat client device 11 is compliant with US FAA regulations and forsafety reasons in all countries. The client device 11 also can includean embedded SIM card 18 which identifies the device for the GSM orrelated carrier network 12. The client device 11 can communicate viaBluetooth protocol using its Bluetooth module 3 and Bluetooth antenna15, for example to a mobile device 1 which receives data from server 4.The client device 11 does not store Wi-Fi information but rather onlydetects Wi-Fi signals and signal strength when it needs to transmit alocation which is calculated by the server 4 by looking up the Wi-Filocation of the identified Wi-Fi node in a database. Every locationtransmitted by the device is it's actual location, not a previous one.

An embodiment of the special purpose computer server 4 is shown inschematic form in FIG. 2 wherein the server 4 includes in memory anaccess point and cell tower database 9, a flight plans database byexample (or alternatively another common carrier database such as atruck shipping database) 10, and a processor which is programmed tocarry out the functions of the server 4. The special purpose computercan optionally communicate with a USSD gateway 11 in an alternativeembodiment which can communicate with the device 11 over SS7 signalingor otherwise without USSD over GSM network 12.

In overall operation, the device 11 is placed in or on a package priorto shipment of the package via truck, train, and/or scheduled aircraft.Along the way the device 11 encounters Wi-Fi access points of varyingsignal strength and sends the MAC address and SSID of the encounteredWi-Fi access points of the respective encounters to one or more servers4 which function as a special purpose computer. The servers 4 use acalculated flight and/or transit plan based on pickup time and location,flight, truck, and train schedules received from third party sources,and destination location and required minimum delivery time to plan aschedule route. The client device 11 is programmed to turn on when poweris turned on, for example when the battery 16 is connected by pullingout a power activation pull tab 2. The client device 11 is alsoprogrammed to process accelerometer 5 data that includes movement of thepackage and can also optionally calculate when the client device 11 isvibrating in a pattern which implies the client device 11 is aboard anaircraft with engines running, in which case the client device 11 canautomatically turn off its GSM module 6 to prevent transmission of datawhile the aircraft is flying and turns on its GSM module 6 when theabsence of such a vibration pattern implies the client device 11 is nolonger on an aircraft whose engines are running.

When the GSM module 6 is on, the client device 11 periodicallybroadcasts via GSM antenna 8 the Wi-Fi access point 47 data in range ofclient device 11 which is received at GSM cell towers 13 and which isreceived in turn by the servers 4 via GSM network 12. The servers 4compare expected locations to one or more Wi-Fi access point 47encounters received from the device to determine if the device islocated where it is expected. If the device location does not match anexpected location at an expected encounter time a notification isissued, for example an alarm notification or an automated phone call toa designated phone number, an alert to third party sever, an e-mail, anSMS message, or other user machine interface.

The client device communicates data by a GSM communication gateway fromits GSM transmission module 6 that allows a range of short datatransmission methods including but not limited to USSD or SMS short datamessaging, to be sent to a remote special purpose computer 4. USSD isone of several methods since it is a short message data format (i.e.,typically 160 bytes or 182 alphanumeric characters) that has theadvantage of using less transmission power thus preserving devicebattery power to last across international transport schedules or duringextended shipping route delay.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system including a courier driver mobilecommunication device such as a cell phone 1 or other mobile computingdevice which receives instruction from a special purpose computer 4which functions as one or more servers, referred to herein as “AirTrace”by example, on an app running on the driver cell phone 1 for a newpackage to be picked up at a specific location. The driver is instructedto attach or install a client device 11, referred to herein as “AirTracetracker,” in the package or onto package by self-adhesive attachmentmeans when it is picked up.

In this first embodiment the client device 11 comprises a battery(lithium or non-lithium) 16, memory 6, an accelerometer 5, a GSM module6, a Wi-Fi receiver 17, a microcontroller (“MCU”) 20, a Bluetooth module3, Wi-Fi antenna 14, GSM antenna 8, and an optional pull tab 2 whichprevents drainage of the battery 16 until the driver or user pulls it toactivate the client device 11. The driver needs to be sure that theclient device 11 selected to be included in the time-critical package isfully charged. The plastic pull tab 2 is used as a switch to connect thebatteries with the tracker circuit. The pull tab cannot 2 bere-installed so the driver can confirm it is the first time the clientdevice 11 has been activated and fully powered when the tab 2 is pulled.

Non-lithium AAAA alkaline primary batteries 16 can be used instead ofrechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Using a non-lithium battery makesthe device safer for flight safety compliance and transport usage, andhas a lower self-discharge current that allow for long storage periods,without losing power. Once the device is ON, a LED indicator will allowthe driver or user to determine if the device is ready to be used. Agreen light indicates that battery level is correct, and connectivityover the GSM network could be established. The driver phone 1 connectswith the client device 11 via the Bluetooth modem and the device reports17 reports its unique electronic identification number received orassociated from SIM card 18 over the Bluetooth Module 3 signal so everyfuture location reading can be correctly associated to the devicepackage tracking information. The driver or user's mobile communicationdevice such as a cell phone App reports to AirTrace Server 4 the TrackerId to be used.

From that moment forward, all communication from the client device 11 toAirTrace Services, i.e., the server, 4 is done exclusively over the GSMnetwork 12, through the use of USSD messages. GSM network wirelesstransmission technology is distributed in most countries around theworld by wireless telecommunication carriers, allowing for packagetracking in almost every country.

Transmission over the GSM network demands more energy than any othersingle operation performed by the device. Determining the right momentto transmit is thus very important for power efficiency. The clientdevice 11 includes an accelerometer 5 that allows client device 11 todetermine movement, even minor vibration. The accelerometer 5 can beused for two objectives; to prevent the client device 11 fromtransmitting when it is moving by turning off the GSM module 6, therebypreventing any kind of transmission to be done before a plane takes offand until it has landed and the package is not moving any more. Theaccelerometer 5 is sensitive enough to detect vibrations caused by theplane engines, so no transmission is also intended during flight andwhen no plane engine vibrations are detected GSM module 6 is turned backon and the client device 11 reports its location. The accelerometer canalso be used for a second objective, that is to communicate with themicrocontroller and trigger the GSM radio module to report location ofthe package after movement pattern of the accelerometer have beendetected as a power-saving benefit compared to having device transmitlocation and consume power when it is not moving or has not been movedfor a selected period of time.

Depending on the shipping en route plan, the AirTrace server 4 may alsoconfigure other operation modes during the shipment. For example, if theshipping only requires truck transportation, a message can be sent toconfigure the device to report its location on a time sequence,regardless of accelerometer readings. The same example applies for apackage that did require flight transportation but flight has alreadyoccurred and the rest of the shipping is carried out by truck. Anotherexample would be a package delayed in customs for two days, thenAirTrace server may instruct the device to stop all activity for aperiod of time, saving energy for later.

Once the MCU 20 determines a location needs to be reported, it requestsa Wi-Fi receiver to scan for Wi-Fi access points that may be near to thedevice. The Wi-Fi receiver eventually informs a list of Wi-Fi accesspoints, including each Wi-Fi access point Mac Address or SSID, andsignal strength RSSI. The MCU 20 will then order the list of Wi-Fiaccess points by signal strength, and then for supplemental or betterlocation verification ask the GSM Module 6 to scan for one or more GSMCell tower 13 ID data points detected to be in range of the device. Thelist of Wi-Fi access points 47 and supplemental GSM Cell tower 13 dataserve as location verification reference points that are known by theAirTrace Service 4 through the Wi-Fi access point 47 and cell tower 13ID location database 9. The MCU 20 will then create a set of USSDmessages, each transmitting the collected data in real time andcontaining a Wi-Fi access point 47 collection data or supplemental celltower ID information, to be transmitted to servers) 4 (referred toherein as “AirTrace Service”) over the GSM network.

AirTrace servers receive reference points information, and based on thegeographical records kept in one or more Wi-Fi access point 47 and CellTower ID location databases, will compare to known Wi-Fi access point 47locations or attempt to triangulate the device location from multiplelocation data sources, and record it in the server as part of thecorresponding shipping confirmations or exception tracking.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method wherein an order iscreated 22, an optimal flight is identified 23 using, by example, anairline flight database 10. The client device 11 is associated 24 andreported to a shipment tracking application for a common carriershipping system that can include truck shipment 30. The driver mobilephone 1 application reports acceptance by the package airline, or othercommon carrier truck shipper, and/or air carrier 25. The client device11 reports and the device signal is verified 26. As an option, whenaircraft engine vibration is detected, a takeoff signal is received 27and a flight tracking API service 31 is used to calculate or report anexpected package location at various times, for example at a connectingairport, destination airport, and/or truck depot. The system listens 28for an AirTrace signal and if received 29 the server calculates whetherthe device is located 30 at the departure airport. If so, operations isnotified 31 either of a failure to board 32 or a route deviation 31. Iflanding is detected 32, the system determines 29 whether client device11 signal has been received. If so, the system calculates whether thedevice is located at expected arrival airport 30. If located at expectedarrival airport, operations is notified 33 of client device 11 arrivalby server message, otherwise operations is notified 31 of a likely routedeviation or shipment location exception.

The device platform in FIG. 3 includes support for a Bluetooth networkstack based on the Bluetooth chip inside the location device, whichallows the package-positioning device to wirelessly exchange data withother Bluetooth devices (e.g., a delivery driver's mobile phone othermobile computing device).

Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), andoperates at frequencies between 2402 and 2480 MHz, or 2400 and 2483.5MHz including guard bands 2 MHz wide at the bottom end and 3.5 MHz wideat the top. The system's application framework provides access to theBluetooth functionality through the Bluetooth APIs to pair between twodevices. These APIs let applications wirelessly connect to otherBluetooth devices, enabling point-to-point and multipoint wirelessfeatures. Examples include the device on or inside a package tocommunicate to a mobile phone or other Bluetooth receiver in range ofthe positioning device and share it's ID and pair location of a driver'ssmart phone while en route to airport or other POI area. The benefit ofBluetooth includes not needing to activate the device's Wi-Fi connectionto prolong device battery life. Bluetooth function can either be used tocomplement or in place of Wi-Fi access points for transmitting a uniqueID to identify a package in-transit and not yet at an airport or POI.Similar to Wi-Fi positioning, the Bluetooth chip inside device canestimate distance based on received signal strength from Bluetooth LowEnergy signals emitted by the Bluetooth sensor and chipset insidepackage-positioning device that constantly broadcast their presence inrange of a second Bluetooth receiver device (e.g., mobile phone ormobile computing device of shipment driver).

In other embodiments, Bluetooth chip inside the package communicationdevice can also be used to associate a user or shipment with an attachedtracking device, receiving an indication that the tracking device islost or misplaced, setting a flag indicating that the tracking device ismissing, receiving a location within a proximity of the tracking devicefrom one of a plurality of mobile devices associated with a community ofusers, and providing the location to the user to help track the locationreported based on the crowd sourced location positioning reported byBluetooth chip and associated firmware within the Bluetooth chip.

The system and method of the invention allows for Bluetooth module andconnection protocols, to associate wireless device, and its uniquedevice ID to communicate to third party computer server, and to confirmpickup over mobile app or API that en route delivery by driver hasstarted, and/or to receive instruction to connect the device pre-appliedor to be placed by driver by accessing a mobile app running on theirmobile device (phone or mobile communication tablet device) for a newpackage to be first accepted for delivery, requiring driver or otherreceiving package delivery service to add and attach or receive thepackage with the novel tracking device already pre-placed by shipperonto a package or part, or placed inside the package. As the driverneeds to ship accept and begin package delivery steps on a scheduleright away, the driver selects in mobile app the tracker device optionto be associated that is fully charged, and activates the power-on pulltab to verify connection over GSM and begin the package's en routejourney based on a planned delivery schedule.

From that moment forward, all communication from the client device 11 toserver 4 is done exclusively over the GSM network 12. The GSM network 12is distributed all over the world, allowing for package tracking inalmost every country. Data messages from device is managed by variousGateway 11 options managed by the telecommunication company thatprovides the SIM Card 18 or other network carrier connectiontransmission protocol installed on each client device 11.

Transmission over the GSM network 12 demands more energy than any otheroperation performed by the device. Determining the tight moment totransmit is then very important for power efficiency. The trackingdevice 11 includes an accelerometer module 5 with firmware built-on thatallows MCU 20 to detect and process data from the activity, even minorvibration or other movements. The accelerometer 5 is then used toperform one or more of these steps:

-   -   1 Engine vibration patterns characteristic and determined by the        device accelerometer sensor inside device and associated        processing firmware and software to report aircraft engine        flight engine patterns, and/or;    -   2 Prevent the device to transmit when it's moving or        alternatively, if it is not moving. After movement has been        detected over a period of time, the whole GSM Module 6 can be        turned on or off, depending on WiFi signal reporting changes,        and or;    -   3 Force the client device 11 to report its location after        movement starts and ceases.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the server operation. The process starts 34when an order is received 35. The server searches 36 common carrierschedule databases such as the example of flight schedules, calculates37 pickup location, time of pickup, route plan, delivery time, anddelivery location. The server receives 38 pickup confirmation from adriver's mobile phone or device, receives 39 Wi-Fi data from the devicevia GSM, calculates 40 actual location of the client device 11 based onWi-Fi data and a stored Wi-Fi access point location table, compares 41the actual location at time, T_(X), to route plan time-locations. Inshipments involving drivers with mobile phones or computing device 1,the system may also consider the driver's GPS location of that mobilephone 1 or communication device and calculate whether a driver haserroneously indicated that a package has been picked. The systemcalculates 42 whether the client device 11 location matches the routeplan time location. If not, a notice of route deviation is sent 43; ifso, the server calculates 44 whether the client device 11 has beendelivered to a planned or expected location. The process ends 45 whenthe device is located to the planned location.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an aspect of an embodiment of a methodregarding the function of the accelerometer wherein after the device isactivated it reports its initial location 51 and obtains anaccelerometer reading 52 to determine if the device is moving. If it ismoving and the movement persists over a number of readings 53, the RFcan be programmed by the MCU and/or client server to be turned on or offand a report is sent 54, the GSM module is toggled to OFF or ON, anaccelerometer reading is taken after waiting a pre-determined number ofminutes 55, and if the device is moving according to the accelerometerreading 56, another accelerometer reading is taken after a predeterminednumber of minutes until the device remains still 57 over a preset numberof accelerometer readings and the location is reported 58. If the devicedoes not remain still for the preset number of accelerometer readings,the still counter is increased 59 and another accelerometer reading maybe taken after a few seconds or other interval.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of an aspect of the methodregarding toggling the GSM module, Wi-Fi module, and use of supplementalcell tower IDs wherein the server requests a location report from thedevice 61 which turns on the Wi-Fi module and requests a Wi-Fi accesspoint list 62. The Wi-Fi module is turned off after sending the Wi-Fiaccess point information to the MCU and the GSM module is toggled to ONand a request for cell tower identification information is done 63.After any cell tower IDs are received, the device module definesmessages for transmission including and cell tower information andtransmits that information over USSD channel 77 before toggling the GSMmodule off. The report location requested 61 can include the system'smicrocontroller further programmed to transmit via GSM radio module onlyafter accelerometer described in FIG. 5 first detects movement andsecond, the device's microcontroller performs a comparison step to thelast set of nearby Wi-Fi receiver access point(s), detected and storedby microcontroller from the Wi-Fi receiver, and determined a change fromlast stored nearby Wi-Fi access point(s).

The flow chart of FIG. 6 can access internet databases, such as the FAAflight logs or third party carrier transportation databases accessiblesuch as FlightAware™ or OAG Flightview™ flight plans database, or truckdatabases such as US Postal Service, DHL, Amazon or United ParcelService to further augment the Wi-Fi traces and reporting time(s) withother real-time flight take-off and landing reporting and/or truckdelivery tracking status sources such as geographical information andtime constraints (i.e., late flight departure or other FAA databaseconfirmation data that an aircraft has taken off or package has not yetbeen picked up by a truck).

The flow chart of FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of the method steps andprocess 64 of smart contract implementation. The method shows how thecomputer server with client device 76 described herein may beimplemented, along with the location and temperature reporting involvedin blockchain technology and a blockchain database system 65 remote fromthe client device, with smart contract interactions associated to asingle and specific package shipment 66 transported by aircraft ortruck.

The method, and blockchain technology described herein may be applied tocompare data transmitted and received from the small form factor clientdevice, placed inside or on a time-critical package 76, so its real-timeownership, temperature data reported by thermometer inside theaccelerometer 67 acting as a temperature reporting data sensor, andlocation by access points and their signal strength are received bydevice Wi-Fi receiver 17 reporting nearby Wi-Fi access point data tomicrocontroller module 73, and further transmitted by GSM radio method6, so it can be recorded, shared and managed in a distributed ledger anddistributed standard under ledger systems 69 in a remote blockchaindatabase 65.

FIG. 7 provides an example in which the method 64 by computer programproduct described herein may be implemented, along with the entities(i.e., the shipment parties involved in chain of custody) involved inaccess to blockchain interactions. The method of FIG. 7 includes, but isnot limited to client device 76, blockchain database 65, and a smartcontract 70 to better validate and manage the ownership, andexpectations associated with shock and other movements reported fromaccelerometer 67, and/or location journey of a package en route to betransferred, shared and traded according to smart contracts. Theinformation about the shipment nearby Wi-Fi location access pointsreceived by Wi-Fi antenna 8 and associated movement and temperature datareported from accelerometer 67 is transmitted with nearby Wi-Fi accesspoint location data received, together with other identifying datareceived from client device 76, after transmission by GSM radio module 6for comparison in Wi-Fi access point location database 68 that can alsointerface with the blockchain database for trade by smart contract 75.The special computer server 71 to perform the method then independentlystores the location and data results. Such method of not storing datadirectly in client device for later retrieval or access assures packageshipment parties remote blockchain permission-based access to completelocation, ownership and temperature data during and after deliverypoints in the shipment's journey that is trustworthy by the blockchaintechnology method as it provides access to an immutable and distributedledger to better validate trackable ownership, device locations andtelemetry data reported that is independently stored with time stampreceipt data from the client device, and sent by GSM data transmissionsto a remote special purpose computer database server storage withblockchain technology that can't be hacked.

So as long as the terms of the smart contract 70 are met by clientdevice 76, the smart contract 70 can automatically execute an agreementbetween client device 11 and distributed ledger 69 and access to theblockchain database 65 data stream will automatically be provided byremote special computer server 71. By storing and executing smartcontracts on blockchain database 65 a permission-less model is providedthat allows the device 76 to join the blockchain database 65 to record,access and make use of the real-time device telemetry data stream 72from client device 76 to include Wi-Fi receiver data 17 even when thereis no relationship between client device 76 and distributed ledger 69and each device may be unknown and un-trusted to the other.

In FIG. 7, the term “blockchain” is utilized in relation to the datareported from client device that is transmitted to, received by andstored in special purpose computer server 71, blockchain databasestorage module 65, and smart contract 70; where a blockchain is, ingeneral, a distributed database that maintains a continuously-growinglist of the reported client device data records hardened againsttampering and revision and includes data structure “blocks” andoptionally programs or executables. Each block may contain a timestampand information linking the block to a previous block where a blockchainconsists of blocks that hold time stamped batches of valid data.Typically, each block may include the hash of the prior block that linksthe blocks together, where a “hash” is a hash function in order to addmore security by a cryptographic hash function that may be utilized toassist in verifying the authenticity of the entry in the block. Thisnovel method solves a problem in conventional industry practice, byadding something the logistics industry had not been able to obtain byprior methods, by utilizing blockchain access to package shipmenttrackable ownership location and related telemetry data by client deviceinteraction methods that may as an optional example in the illustratedembodiment, be computed and compared in the device microcontrollermodule 73 so reported data can be sent by GSM radio module to a secondremote computer server with blockchain technology to be then shared andtraded in a smart contract 75 with trusted accuracy, and in immutableform.

Using Wi-Fi signals is faster; more precise and battery-friendly thanGPS and cell-towers alone. These databases can also be manually updatedto add specific new or private Wi-Fi addresses and can include anaircraft's specific Wi-Fi router or hotspot data to reveal its location,using that Wi-Fi positioning to verify a Point of Interest area such asa specific airport, airport terminal floor or zone, specific aircraft'sWi-Fi or hotspot connection, warehouse or holding area floor, room oreven Wi-Fi points adjacent to flight runway area or aircraft shipmentloading area(s).

When using the system indoors, an optional database library allows forboth manual entry and machine learning by matching to historical Wi-Filocation access points (BSSID/MAC address) linked to a latitude orlongitude, room, floor or other very specific location (i.e., Unitedaircraft 33 at JFK Airport, terminal 3) and stored in the system'sdatabase. The library provides accurate airport, aircraft, andwarehouse-level positioning indoors by accessing its database of Wi-Fifingerprints and reported data points collected over time or manuallyentered. The additional fingerprints can be collected from both publicand private Wi-Fi hotspot databases that are reported and stored in adatabase with time stamps for each Wi-Fi hotspot noted and bycorrelating mobile device location data with Wi-Fi hotspot MAC addressesand other recorded data.

The system estimates the mobile device's current geographic location,latitude and longitude, by using as references one more Wi-Fi signalsfor location reporting of the package from the attached client device,within range. This can also be complemented or augmented by usingCell-ID location data that the attached mobile device receives, inaddition to Wi-Fi. The location is reported by using cellular towernetworks (GSM, CDMA, 3G, LTE, 5G, LTE-M1, NB-IoT) and across alloperators throughout the world. It should be noted that the Wi-Fi systemand method only listens for signals and does not attempt to connect ortransmit to any wireless Wi-Fi networks. A combination of thesetechniques may be used to increase the accuracy of the system.

The web services API enables applications to submit via HTTP, SMS orUSSD message formats that can include a Wi-Fi access point identifierand signal strength to obtain its geographic location, latitude andlongitude, and indoor location data plus an optional confidence radius.The same data can also be reported for a cell id or cell toweridentifier data to augment location confidence and reporting.

The GSM location message transmissions by the package-positioning devicecan also be enabled to add high-grade proven cryptography targeted atsmall form factor devices and building around that additional securityapplication services such as device identity management. Suchcryptography can be added into smart baggage tags and connecting packagedevices to airline and airport enterprise applications via a secureM2M/IoT cloud application addressing IATA 753 airline industry standardbut it also addresses, for example, airport concerns about the securityof smart baggage tags and other trackers and the potential creation ofmillions of insecure mobile hackable endpoints.

Incorporating blockchain in combination with the IoT enabled sensordevice attached onto or placed inside packages can add real-timeownership and location journey of package shipments to be shared andmanaged in a distributed ledger enabling AirTrace Service to be part ofa distributed standard.

The blockchain technology can be incorporated to add and share data fromthe device attached to any object entrusted to someone else fortransport, with trackable ownership, possession, locations and telemetryparameters such as, accelerometer data around motion, shock andtemperature. The final buyer or package delivery recipient can access acomplete record of information and trust that the information isaccurate and complete since the blockchain adds an immutable anddistributed ledger that can't be hacked. Blockchain permits additionalstreams of real-time data to enhance analytics and patterns accessibleto parties with AirTrace Services that can receive, record and sharedata from device with GSM sensor data reporting including location andother embedded sensor data such as from the accelerometer with built-ininternal thermometer so multiple data telemetry can be shared withtrusted accurately and with completeness. Such system can enable chainof custody of a shipment independently to better validate and manage theownership and journey of a package to be transferred and tradedaccording to smart contracts.

A special feature of the invention is the way it determines whether adevice location at various times matches the expected locations at thosetimes. Another special feature is the way the device uses vibration ofaircraft or truck engines or movement to turn off the device's GSMmodule, thereby saving power during the times when the a GSMtransmission would be useless and in the case of aircraft, to complywith aviation regulations.

Overall the device and system includes computer assisted server, devicevibration and movement data listening, processing and locationdetermination methods to temporary prevent in-flight radio transmissionwith transmission deactivation methods designed to be compliant withregulations and restrictions that have been in effect since 2003 whenthe United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requiredrestrictions on use of mobile communication aboard all aircraft duringflight for aviation safety and avoidance of interference with aircraftavionics. This represents an automated computer implemented approach towhat airlines require passengers to manually activate their mobiledevice “airplane mode” before or during flight, as flight safetyrequirements and regulations require text telephony and othersignal-transmitting technologies such as GSM or other wireless radiocommunications to remain off in-flight. In the case of truck shipmentthe device and system rely on the accelerometer to listen for movementof a package with the client device and turn on or off transmissionsaccordingly, to maximize power conservation and report by GSM radiomodule only when programmed or instructed to do according toaccelerometer movement parameters.

As defined, a Package is a bundle of something, that is packed andwrapped or boxed. It can represent a stand-alone parcel or a container,such as a box or case, in which something is or may be packed for goods,freight, or logistics transport. It can also be a finished productcontained in a unit that is suitable for immediate installation andoperation, as an aircraft or other critical replacement part, and canalso include items for medical and pharmaceutical transport.

The term USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a GlobalSystem for Mobile (GSM) communication technology that is used to sendtext between a mobile phone and an application program in the network.Applications may include prepaid roaming or location reporting. USSD issimilar to Short Messaging Service (SMS). Unlike SMS, USSD transactionsoccur during the session only. With SMS, message scan be sent to amobile phone and stored for several days if the phone is not activatedor within range. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) supports USSD.USSD is defined in the GSM standard documents GSM 02.90 and GSM 03.90.

The term Wi-Fi refers to a wireless networking technology that allowscomputers and other devices to communicate over a wireless signal. Itdescribes network components that are based on one of the 802.11standards developed by the IEEE and adopted by the Wi-Fi Alliance.Examples of Wi-Fi standards, in chronological order, include: 80211.a,80211b, 80211g, 80211n, and 80211ac.

Wi-Fi is the standard way computers connect to wireless networks. Mostwireless communication devices have Wi-Fi chips to allow Device to findand discover wireless routers. Most mobile devices support enabling themto connect to wireless networks as well. When a device establishes aWi-Fi connection with a router, it can communicate with the router andother devices on the network. A Wi-Fi “hotspot” includes the geographicboundary covered by a Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless access point. Typicallyset up for Internet access, a device entering the hotspot with aWi-Fi-based receiver inside can view the access point in range andconfigured to advertise their presence (beaconing) and authorization isnot necessary.

The term GSM, also known as: “Global System for Mobile Communications,is a generally a TDMA based wireless network technology. GSM phones makeuse of a SIM card to identify the user's account. The use of the SIMcard allows GSM network users to move their phone identity from one GSMdevice to another by simply moving the SIM card. Currently most GSMnetworks operate on the 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHzfrequency bands.

The term SIM stands for subscriber identity module or subscriberidentification module (SLM) is an integrated circuit that is intended tosecurely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticatesubscribers on mobile telephony devices (such as mobile phones and GSMdevices). The SIM circuit is part of the function of a Universalintegrated Circuit Card (UICC). “SIM cards” can be separate cards orvirtual circuit cards and are transferable physically or electronically(e.g., by Internet database) between different mobile devices. A SIMcard contains its unique serial number (ICCID), international mobilesubscriber identity (IMSI) number, security authentication and cipheringinformation.

The term USSD Gateway is a session-based protocol. USSD messages travelover GSM signaling channels and are used to query information andtrigger services. USSD establishes a real time session between mobiledevice and application handling the service.

The term SS7 signaling is the core signaling/control protocol usedwithin fixed and mobile networks. The SS7 network is an interconnectedset of network elements that is used to exchange messages in support oftelecommunications functions.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional description, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the systems andmethod disclosed herein may be embodied as a method, data processingsystem, or computer program device such as a non-transitory computerreadable medium. Accordingly, these portions of the approach disclosedherein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment (e.g., in a non-transitory machine readable medium),or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, portionsof the systems and method disclosed herein may be a computer programproduct on a computer-usable storage medium having computer readableprogram code on the medium. Any suitable computer-readable medium may beutilized including, but not limited to, static and dynamic storagedevices, hard disks, optical storage devices, and magnetic storagedevices.

Certain embodiments have also been described herein with reference toblock illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products.It will be understood that blocks of the illustrations, and combinationsof blocks in the illustrations, can be implemented bycomputer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructionsmay be provided to one or more processors of a general purpose computer,special purpose computer, or other programmable data processingapparatus (or a combination of devices and circuits) to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the one or moreprocessors, implement the functions specified in the block or blocks.

These computer-executable instructions may also be stored incomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory result in an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Thecomputer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well asothers inherent therein. While the invention has been depicted anddescribed and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of theinvention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention,and no such limitation is to be inferred. Consequently, the invention isintended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A client-server system for calculating whether atime-crucial shipment is located according to an expectation comprising:a client device adapted for being adhered to or placed within atime-crucial package shipment; and a remote special purpose computerserver, the client device comprising: a Wi-Fi receiver adapted toreceive identification data of one or more nearby Wi-Fi access points; aWi-Fi signal receiving antenna; an accelerometer; a GSM radio modulewith antenna which connects to mobile carrier networks; and amicrocontroller programmed to: detect movement by the accelerometer; andautomatically transmit via the GSM radio module to the remote specialpurpose computer server the received identification data from themeasured access points and signal strength data when a change inmovement is detected by the accelerometer; the remote special purposecomputer server comprising: a transit plan schedule database based onpickup time and location stored in memory; a Wi-Fi access point locationdatabase accessed by an API; a GSM gateway; and a processor programmedto: calculate a location of the client device based on data accessedfrom the Wi-Fi access point location database, the transmittedidentification data, and the transmitted signal strength data; andcompare the calculated location to an expected location based on commoncarrier schedule transit plan pickup time and delivery location receivedfrom third party database sources.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein thecommon carrier includes a scheduled airline or truck.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 comprising issuing an alert signal if a time-crucial package iscalculated to be at a location other than the expected scheduledlocation.
 4. The system of claim 1 comprising comparing signal strengthdata of one or more cell towers and wherein the calculating the locationis further based on the signal strength data of the one or more celltowers.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the client device furthercomprises a Bluetooth module to wirelessly exchange data with otherBluetooth devices.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the microcontrolleris further programmed to transmit via GSM radio module only afteraccelerometer first detects movement and second, the microcontrollerperforms a comparison step to the last set of nearby Wi-Fi receiveraccess point(s), detected and stored by microcontroller from the Wi-Fireceiver, and determined a change from last stored nearby Wi-Fi accesspoint(s).
 7. The system of claim 1 comprising issuing an alert signal tothe client server if a time-crucial shipment is calculated to be movingin or out of a Point of Interest area location, including a specificairport, terminal floor, warehouse or other zone.
 8. The system of claimof claim 1 further comprising sending the alert signal to the clientserver when shipment is calculated to be located moving in or out of aPoint of Interest area location and to then communicate with clientdevice to adjust the frequency and interval timing of GSM radio moduletransmission reporting by the client device to save power.
 9. Ablockchain method for calculating whether a time-crucial shipment islocated according to an expectation comprising: providing a systemaccording to claim 1; receiving, by the Wi-Fi receiver of the clientdevice identification data of one or more nearby Wi-Fi access points,measuring, by the Wi-Fi receiver, signal strength data of the one ormore nearby Wi-Fi access points, transmitting, by the microcontroller,via the GSM radio module to a remote special purpose computer server thereceived identification data and the considered signal strength datawhen movement is detected by the accelerometer; calculating, by theremote special purpose computer server, a location of the client devicebased on data accessed from a Wi-Fi access point location database withtime stamp; the transmitted identification data, and the received signalstrength data; and comparing, by the remote special purpose computer,the calculated location to an expected location based on blockchaindatabase system data with real-time ownership and location journey ofpackage shipments shared and managed in an immutable and distributedledger.
 10. The method of claim 9 comprising receiving by the blockchainownership identification and transport location(s) with telemetryparameters reported by the GSM radio module from accelerometer dataaround motion, shock or temperature.
 11. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising reporting device data based on calculated or transmittedlocation, accelerometer temperature or movement reported data, or chainof custody data wherein shipment data can be transferred to or tradedaccording to smart contracts in the blockchain.
 12. The method of claim9 comprising receiving, recording and sharing data based on blockchaindata received from accelerometer, and reported by GSM radio module,reporting blockchain data to the remote special purpose computer, from aclient device which comprises an internal thermometer within theaccelerometer, thereby reporting temperature telemetry data in ablockchain for trusted accuracy.
 13. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising reporting device data based on calculated or transmittedlocation, temperature, movement, or chain of custody data so shipmentdata can be transferred to or traded according to smart contracts in theblockchain.